Changeable exhibitor



Aug. 26, 1941. J. l. ROBIN CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR Filed Feb. 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l Ihwentor J coa I ROB/N (230%) attorney Aug. 26, 1941. .1. I. ROBIN I CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR Filed Feb. 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jmaentor attorney Aug. 26, 1941; J. [.ROBIN CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 7, 1939 attorney Aug. 26, 1941. J. ROBIN CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR Filed Feb. 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3n en 2 JA 0B 1'. ROB/N attorney Patented Aug. 26, 1941 "IU-NITED. STATE cnANGEABLE EXHIBITOR Jacob ILRobin, New York, N. Y.,

national Mutoscope Reel N. Y., a, corporation of New York assignor to Inter- Co. Inc., New York;

Application February '1, iesa's'eriai No. 255,008 3 Claims. (01. 40-40) This invention relates to changeable exhibitors or displaydevices. In itsmore specific aspects the inventioniis concerned with illuminated rotary exhibitors which are actuated by currents of. air induced by heat, usually the heat trans mitted from the illuminating lamps.

(One object of the invention is tov provide an exhibitor ;of the character described having means constructed-and arranged to provide in combination directyiews and reflected images of one or more display elements. o 7

- Another,object of the invention is to provide, in an exhibitorofsthe type referred to, means for reflecting images of one ormore elements carried by a rotary member in such manner that said images appear to travel in a non-circular path.

. Another .objectof the invention is to provide an exhibitor of improved appearance and designed to attract more attention than is ordinarily thecase with the usual changeable exhibitor. A further object of the invention is generally to provide an. improved exhibitor of the ty e which is actuated by heat induced air currents.

. The above objects of the invention and other objectswhich might hereinafter appear will be fully understood from the following description considered. with reference to, the accompanying drawings, it being understood, however, that the latter are illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention and not limitative thereof. In the drawings: V i.

l is a front view in elevation of an exhibitor. embodyingthe present invention; i. Fig 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line kifl F e-la t Fig.3is a topplanvieW; v ,7 i Fig, 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 oIF c i r '1 Eig. 5 is ayertical sectional view on the line 5-5-510fFig. 2 with certain parts omitted; isia front view in elevation of one of the efl ct s; c i

' a view in elevation of a rotary exhibitor r F s- 1 element; V Fig. 8 is a sectional vie'won the line 8'-8 of Fig; '7 on a larger scale;

"Fig; 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing amodification;

Fig; 10 is a; side view; in elevation, of the upper rotary-exhibitor element. i'ReferringTnow to the" drawings in detail, the changeable exhibitor lllmadein accordance with the'preferredembodiment of the invention comprises a'casing'or frame l2 having a central secnonl4 and lateral sections l6 and I8. Said seclatter.

tions are provided with display openings 29, 22V

and 24,.respectively, through which the displays are exposed to view. Also, as here shown central section I4 is provided with an additional opening 26.1ocated above opening 20 for an auxiliary display. The lateral sections [6 and I8 comprise sheet metal members' 28 and 30 which are of suitable configuration and which are joined to each other at the rear of the casing by a central vertically extending lap joint 32. The front edges of members 28 and 30 are joined at the vertical side edges 34 and 36 of the sheet metal member 38 which constitutes the front of central section l4. Central section l4 also includes lower sheet metal members 4!! and 42 and upper sheet metal members 44 and 46 secured at their rear edges to members 28 and 30, and at their front edges, at the joints between the .front edges of said members 28 and 30 with the side edges 34 and of member 38 of central portion l4. Said sets of membersfifl, 42 and 44, 46 are positioned, respectively, below and above the display openings 20, 22 and v24. It will be noted that said sets of members 4ll, 42 and 44, 46 extend transversely of the casing from front tower and reinforce the 7 One or more rotarymembers operated preferably, but not necessarily, by heat induced air cur-v rents are positioned within central section l4.

1 In the form of the invention illustrated herein, there is amain rotary member 48 and an auxiliary rotary member 51!. Rotary. member 48 is mounted for rotation about a stationary cylindri-i 7 cal member 52 Within which the lamp 54 is positioned. Stationary member 52 is preferably translucent and on its outer surface is lithographed, or otherwise ornamented and provides a background for the elementscarried by rotary member 48. The stationary background member 52 may be composed of a sheet of translucent paper, which-is relatively stiff and self-sustaining in vertical position. It will be understood that while background member 52 is translucent, it conceals lamp 54 and the other elements positioned within said member. As illustrated herein, rotary member 48 'carries'a plurality of elements 55, here shown in'the form of representations of automobiles. Rotary member 48 is wholly or partially transparent as may be necessary to expose elements 56 to view and for that purpose is composed of Celluloid or other suitable transparent sheet material. It will be understood that said elements 56; may be formed vof sheet material or may be painted or otherwise applied to the surface of member'48. In the form of the invention herein illustrated, said elements 56 are formed of sheet material such as translucent paper, and are held between the main cylinder 58 of rotary member 48 and the auxiliary cylinder 68 of said member (Figs. '7 and 8). The upper edge of cylinder 58 is secured to the peripheral rim 62 of the heat actuated rotor 64 in any suitable way, preferably removably, by a plurality of clips 68. The lower edges of cylinders 58 and 68 are secured together and are attached to a peripheral metal strip 88 in any suitable way as by adhesive tape I8.

It will be understood that as the rotary momber 48 rotates, the display elements 56 are car-.

ried successively in front of the stationary back-- ground member 52, and that the light from the lamp 84 illuminates both the background and the display elements all of which are exposed to than automobiles, may be carried by rotary member 48. Thus, for example, when the exhibitor is utilized for advertising a motion picture, the elements may be constituted by pictorial representations of one or more of the actors or actresses who appear in the advertised motion picture. It will further be understood that the reflectors can be constituted without the angularly related surfaces. This is illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings in which the reflector is indicated by the reference numeral 'I2A and from which it is seen that .said reflector has a curved forward portion 83 in lieu of the angularly related flat portions 88 and 82, said reflector 12A conforming as a whole'generally to the contour of the companion casing member on which the reflector is mounted.

view through the opening 28 in central portion I4, and that on this account an attractive display is provided. However, an importantfeature of the present invention resides in the provision of means constructed and arranged to display images of the display elements 58 and also preferably of the background provided by stationary cylinder 52. The means provided for this purpose include the reflectors I2 positioned in the lateral sections I8 and I8. Said reflectors may be made of any suitable material, preferably sheet metal having a lustrous mirror surface. Each reflector I2 is removably mounted in position in vertical frame members I4 and 18 secured to casing members 28 and 38. Each reflector I2 preferably comprises a plurality of angularly related flat surfaces I8, SIIand 82, respectively, as clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. The construction and arrangement of the reflector I2 in the lateral sections I8 and I8 are such that images of the stationary background member 52 and of the display elements 58 carried by rotary member 48 are exposed to view through the openings 22- and 24, respectively, in said lateral sections, and when member 48 is in motion, the reflected images of the display elements 56 appear as a procession of many more elements than are carried by said rotary member. Thus, for example, when the display elements 58 are constituted by representations of automobiles, and when the exhibitor is in operation, although there are only two or three elements 58 on member 48, there appears to be a continuous procession of automobiles moving from right to left (viewing Fig. 1), that is from lateral section I8 to and past lateral section I6.

As rotary member 48 is composed of transparent sheet material, there is no noticeable image of said rotary member, except the display elements 58 carried thereby, in reflectors I2. On the. other hand, parts of the ornamental outer surface of background member 52 are reflected by reflectors F2, and the images of display elements 58 appear to pass in front of a background which is the image of said portions of the outer surfaces of I background member 52. The reflectors are provided with the abovedescribed angularly related flat surfaces for the purpose of preventing the successive images of the display elements 56 from running together or blurring, that is, the angularly related flat surfaces of the reflectors produce distinct images and serve to enhance the effect of the procession of automobiles.

It will be understood that the indication of the display elements 58 as automobiles is merely illustrative and that said elements may assume other forms. Numerous display elements, other The frame for the stationary member 52 and for the rotary member 48 as well as for the lamp 54, which illuminates the exhibitor and which heats the air for providing the air currents for actuating rotary member 48, is positioned within the central section of the container. Said frame member. comprises rods 84, 88 and 88 arranged as here shown in Y-formation. The outer ends of rods 84 and 88 are secured to the rear portions of easing members 28 and 38, respectively, by screws 98 which also serve to secure the adjacent ends of transverse member 48 and 42 to said casing members. The outer end of rod 88 is secured to wall 38 of central section I4 below opening 28 by a screw 92. The inner ends of rods 84 and 88 may be integral with each other and at their connected portions 94 are joined to ried at the upper reflexed end portion I 82 of arod I84. The lower reflexed portion I86 of rod I84 is secured to the inner end portion of rod 88 in any suitable way, preferably being welded thereto. A reinforcing rod I88 is secured at its lower end portion IIIlto a cross rod 1 I2 welded to rods 84. and 88. The upper endportion H4 of reinforcing rod I88 is secured to the upper end portion of rod I84 preferably by being welded thereto. A socket II5 for lamp 54 is removably secured in any suitable way to the lower portion I85 of rod I84. The support for. the stationary background member 52 is constituted by a cylindrical sheet metal member II'I secured to rods 84, 88 and 88 by L-shaped members, H9 welded to the inner surface of cylindrical member II I and. to the upper surfaces of said rods. Background member 52 is removably secured to cylindrical member In and projects upwardly therefrom. Said member 52, besides constituting a background as above explained, also provides a passage for the flow of air to the vanes or blades of the rotor 84 of rotary member 48. A metal disk I2I secured to the upper portion I82 of rod I84 serves to direct the heated air toward the outer ends of the'rotor blades.

The frame for the auxiliary rotary member 58 andfor the lamp for illuminating and foractuating said rotary member is mounted within central section I4 in the upper part thereof. As here shown, said frame comprises a cross rod. II6 having down-turned endportions H8 which are removably received within brackets I28, one of which is secured to the adjacent central portions of members 28 and 38 and the other of which is secured to r the front wall 38 of central section 2,253,869 ;4 between theopenings 20 and 2t. A bracket I22is supported on cross rod' H6. Said bracket is constituted by a U-Shapedrod having a lower portion I-24;which is secured to rod I I6 by welding and which has an upper portion I26 to which is secured the spindle I28 for the cup bearing I39 of the rotor of rotary member 50. It will be understood that the rotor of rotary member 50 is provided with blades or vanes which are acted I upon by the air currents induced by heat from lamp I 32. The socket I 34- for said lampv is socured to the intermediate vertical portion of the rod which constitutes bracket I22.

The opening 26 in the upper part of central section I4 is provided with a cover I36 of translucent or opaque material carrying, as illustrated, any suitable legend which for example may be the name of the automobile being advertised or the name of a motion picture theatre, etc. Said name may be outlined by dot-like openings in said cover or by transparent or translucent portions in the material of said cover. Also, if desired, the peripheral wall of rotary member 50 may comprise a plurality of circumferentially extending sections of suitable transparent or translucent sheet material of different colors whereby the color of the light visible through opening 26 or through the multiplicity of openings or dot-like elements I35 in the letters in cover member I35 varies repeatedly during the operation of the exhibitor. Said sections of different colors are indicated at I39 and I40 in Fig. and are there shown as overlapped and secured together, preferably adhesively, as indicated at I42 attheir adjacent edge portions at one side of the rotary member and similarly are secured together in overlapping relation at the other side of the rotary member. A desirable feature of the invention results from the provision of a multiplicity of dot-like elements such as dots or small perforations IM in sections I39 and I40 whereby to vary the effect of the illumination visible through the openings or transparent portions I35 of the letters in cover member I35. When elements I44 are dots they are preferably of a different degree of transparency than that of the sheet material of said sections and are preferably less transparent. By reason of the provision of said elements IM, whether as dots or perforations, the letters I35 in cover member I36 appear to be in motion during the rotation of member 59 which itself is concealed from view. The illusion of motion of the letters or other symbols provided in member I35 is vividly affected by reason of the repeated movement of elements I44 past said cover member and greatly enhances the attractiveness of the exhibitor. While I have illustrated two sections of different colors, there may be only one section or more than two sections, say four or five sections of different or other contrasting colors or shades of color. A metal disk I 38 is carried by the upper portion I26 of bracket I22 for directing the heated air against the outer portions of the vanes of the rotor of auxiliary rotary member 50.

Thus it is seen that the exhibitor embodying the present invention is well adapted to accomplish the several objects thereof. It will be understood, however, that while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, the latter may be embodied otherwise than as here shown, and that in the illustrated embodiment certain changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made and that certain parts may be used without others without departing from the spirit of' the invention. Thus, for example-rotary members 48 and 50, or either of them, may be'act'uated by means other than by an air flow'operate'd rotor, for example, an electric motor, in which case the lamps need have no function other than for i1- lumination. It will also be understood that any suitable materials maybe used in the various parts of the exhibitor, for example the casing or frame may be made wholly or partly of nonmetallic material instead of sheet metal. Accordingly, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment of the invention herein shown or described or to the form of the exhibitor disclosed herein except as may be required by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a changeable exhibitor, a frame comprising a central section having a front wall, lateral sections at opposite sides, respectively, of said central section, each lateral section having a front wall portion joined to the adjacent side edge of said front wall of the central section and a side and rear wall portion, said wall portions of said lateral sections defining chambers at opposite sides, respectively of said central section, said front wall of said central section and said front wall portions of said lateral sections each having an opening therein, a reflector mounted in each of said chambers of said lateral sections adjacent the side and rear wall portions thereof, a light permeable member in said central section, a lamp within said member, a rotary member mounted for rotation about said light permeable member and sufficiently transparent to permit the passage of light from said light permeable member, said rotary member being constructed and arranged to carry thereon one or more elements and positioned in relation to said reflecting members for reflection by the latter, and means for actuating said rotary member.

2. In a changeable exhibitor, a frame comprising a central section having a front wall, lateral sections at opposite sides, respectively, of said central section, each lateral section having a front wall portion joined to the adjacent side edge of said front wall of the central section and a side and rear wall portion, the adjacent edges of said rear wall portions being joined to each other, said wall portions of said lateral sections defining chambers at opposite sides, respectively, of said central section, said front wall of said central section and said front wall portions of said lateral sections each having an opening therein, a reflector mounted in each of said chambers of said lateral sections adjacent the side and rear wall portions thereof, a light permeable member in said'central section,.a lamp within said member, a rotary member mounted for rotation about said light permeable member and sufiiciently transparent to permit the passage of light from said light permeable member, said rotary member being constructed and arranged to carry thereon one or more elements and positioned in relation to said reflecting members for reflection by the latter, and means for actuating said rotary member. I

3. In a changeable exhibitor, a frame comprising a central section having a front wall, lateral sections at opposite sides, respectively, of said central section, each lateral section having a front wall portion joined to the adjacent side said member, a rotary member mounted for rotation about said light permeable member and sufliciently transparent to permit the passage of light from said light permeable member, said rotary member being constructed and arranged to carry thereon one or more elements and positioned in relation to said reflecting members for reflection by the latter, and means for actuating said rotary member, each of said reflectors comprising a plurality of integral angularly related continuous fiat-planar surfaces.

- JACOB I. ROBIN. 

